Device for producing ionized air

ABSTRACT

A device for producing ionized air comprises a block of insulating material with a cylindrical channel through the block through which an airstream is passed. The interior portion of the channel is covered with a layer of conducting material and is also provided with three radial openings through which extend a positive terminal of a voltage source and two negative-ion generators.

United States Forslind atent [54] DEVICE FOR PRODUCING IONIZED AIR [72] Inventor: Paul A. Forslind, Karstorpsvagen 4,

Vastervik, Sweden [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1970 [21 Appl. No.: 11 ,083

52 U.S .Cl ..3l7/4,317/262AE s11 lnt.Cl. 5s FieldofSearch ..3l7/4,262AE,3

[56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,018,434 10/1935 Ballentine ..317/4 McRae ..3 17/4 X Hicks Muller et a1. ..317/4 Primary Examiner-L. T. Hix

AttorneyLinton & Linton ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEnnma m2 3, 665, 248

IN 'P/IUL A. FORSLIND M wzr HTTORNEYS generally has an electrical potential and if this potential is changed certain effects will occur of which the so called ciliar effect especially has been studied by many scientists. It has been proved that ciliar frequency is increased when negative ions are present and that it is decreased when positive ions are present. Mucous secretion depends on the ciliar frequency and increases and decreases therewith. It can cease completely when a strong concentration of positive ions is present. Generally negative ions, the duration of which is short, have a positive influence upon the'human organism which influence has been utilized in the treatment of burns while positive ions give rise to tiredness and the like. Such symptoms have been registered especially in buildings with air conditioning, in whichair is supplied via sheet metal drums. A possible explanation of this is that the galvanization of the sheet metal absorbs the negative ions which are normally present in the air. In addition, variations in static electricity, which have been proved to occur in houses made from concrete seem to give rise to similar symptoms. Investigations into this are now being made in Denmark, Germany and other countries.

The invention aims to provide a device by means of which air, supplied through a channel may be ionized, the amount of ionization occuring being adjustable as desired in a very simple manner.

According to the invention there is provided a device for producing ionized air, said device comprising a block made from insulating material, a channel in said block through which an airstream may be passed, and a positive terminal and at least two negative-ion generators extending into said channel whereby negative ions discharged from said ion generators may be picked up and transported by said airstream, said channel being covered internally with a layer of conducting material provided with openings through which the ion generators and the positive terminal may be extended.

A preferred embodiment of the device of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a transverse section through an isolated block incorporated in the device.

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal section through the block and shows also a ventilator attached thereto.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram concerning a transfonner and rectifier unit incorporated in the device.

The device illustrated in the drawing comprises a metal base plate 1, which serves as an earth, and a ventilator 2 driven by an electric motor. The ventilator has an outlet 3 leading to a channel 5 which penetrates a block 4 made from insulating material. Perpendicular to and communicating with the channel 5 are two borings 6, in each of which there is a rod 7. Longitudinal grooves 8 and pins 9 secured to the block 4 allow the rods 7 to be displaced longitudinally but not rotated in the borings 6. It is also possible to groove the rods and use the hardness of the rod material to cut the softer block correspondingly. The rods 7 are threaded at their ends extending into the channel 5 to receive small containers 10, each holding a foil of zirconium or the like which has been activated with gaseous tritium. The opposite ends of the rods 11 are also threaded and an internal thread of an adjustment element 12 cooperates with each threaded part 1 l of the rods. Each of the adjustment elements 12 is provided with a central boring, through which a line wire 13, which is intended to connect the corresponding rod 7 with a source of current, is led. Perpendicular to the borings 6 in the block 4 is another boring 14, which contains another rod 15, which may be provided with a flange l6 and which is connected to a line wire 18. The rod 15 constitutes a positive terminal for the device. The channel 5 is internally covered with a thin layer of conducting material such as a foil of red brass 19. The device further included means for transfom'ung and rectifying electrical current such that a voltage of at least 900 Volts direct current may be obtained. This means as well as other accessories for the device may be housed in a cover 20 which rests upon the metal plate 1. The entire device may be housed in a cover not shown. As will be apparent from FIG. 3 air intake to the ventilator occurs axially through adjustable openings 21 having filters with active carbon and fiber and enclosed within a metal network, while exhaust takes place radially through the outlet 3 of the ventilator.

The device functions as follows:

The rods 7 are of an active material which serve as generators of negative ions, receive an electrical pressure of at least 900 Volts and are adjusted in relation to each other by turning the adjustment elements 12. The air stream, which by means of the ventilator 2 is forced through the channel 5, puts up the negative ions thus generated so that an air stream with a desired ion concentration passes through the outlet of the channel 5. A portion of the negative ions escape to earth via rod 15, which is connected to earth by its line wire 18. The conducting layer 19 prevents the block 4 from becoming statically charged.

This fact in combination with the fact that the active material in the rods 7 has a fission time of 17 years gives the device a long endurance and at the same time makes it possible to manufacture the apparatus at a relatively low cost.

Various modifications may be made to the device illustrated in the drawings within the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A device for producing ionized air comprising a block of current insulating material, said block having a channel for the passage of air, a layer of current conducting material covering the wall of said channel, at least two ion generators in the shape of rod-shaped elements, being adjustable relative to each other and extending into said channel in such a manner that the ion streams generated by them extend perpendicular to the direction of the air stream in said channel such that the negative ions emitted from the ion generators may be transported by the air stream, a positive terminal extends into said channel and a metal plate serving as a ground and having said block attached thereto.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said ion generators consist of rods which are inserted in openings in said block, said openings are positioned radially relative to said air channel, said rods having at one end foils of zirconium or the like which have been activated by means of tritium gas, and means producing an electrical pressure of at least 900 Volts on said ion generators.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said rods have longitudinal grooves and pins secured to said block, extend into said grooves whereby said rods longitudinally but not tumable in said openings, said rods are provided in their opposite ends with threads, adjustment means having one surface resting against the outer side of said block and being in threaded engagement with said rods for producing the displacement of said rods by turning said adjustment means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said conducting layer by means of said block is so well insulated that said layer by means of said ion generators can be charged with a negative potential for attracting positive ions streaming through said channel. 

1. A device for producing ionized air comprising a block of current insulating material, said block having a channel for the passage of air, a layer of current conducting material covering the wall of said channel, at least two ion generators in the shape of rod-shaped elements, being adjustable relative to each other and extending into said channel in such a manner that the ion streams generated by them extend perpendicular to the direction of the air stream in said channel such that the negative ions emitted from the ion generators may be transported by the air stream, a positive terminal extends into said channel and a metal plate serving as a ground and having said block attached thereto.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said ion generators consist of rods which are inserted in openings in said block, said openings are positioned radially relative to said air channel, said rods having at one end foils of zirconium or the like which have been activated by means of tritium gas, and means producing an electrical pressure of at least 900 Volts on said ion generators.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said rods have longitudinal grooves and pins secured to said block, extend into saiD grooves whereby said rods longitudinally but not turnable in said openings, said rods are provided in their opposite ends with threads, adjustment means having one surface resting against the outer side of said block and being in threaded engagement with said rods for producing the displacement of said rods by turning said adjustment means.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said conducting layer by means of said block is so well insulated that said layer by means of said ion generators can be charged with a negative potential for attracting positive ions streaming through said channel. 